Pressure squeeze washer



March 6, 1956 N. B. 'WALES 2,737,039

PRESSURE SQUEEZE WASHER Filed May 25. 1950 3 Shee's-Sheei' l March 6,1956 N, B. WALES 2,737,039

PRESSURE SQUEEZE WASHER Filed May 25, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheei 2 C040 wrs/eINVENTOR. MM

March 6, 1956 N -B`WA| E$ 2,737,039

PRESSURE SQUEEZE WASHER Filed May 25, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 T JCEJ- /Z Zq /z/ ya g INVENTo.

United States Patent O PRESSURE SQUEEZE WASHER Nathaniel B. Wales, NewYork, N. Y., assignor to Industrial Patent Corporation, New York, N. Y.

Application May 25, 1950, Serial No. 164,153

13 Claims. y(Cl. (S8-:21)

This invention relates to a Washing machine employing pressureextraction for drying the laundry. Heretofore washing machines using thedifference of 4pressure available by exhausting the AWashing receptacleof air and utilizing the atmospheric pressure on lthe exterior of acollapsible envelope or membrane which lined the receptacle have notsucceeded in attaining an expression of a sutlcient amount of water fromthe laundry to compete with centrifugal types of water-extraction.

ln this invention the flexible membrane -is normally positioned in acollapsed state in or about the axis of the washing chamber and forms anouter lining or envelope for the agitating means axially positionedtherein. The invention is herewith shown in several 1nodilications, allusing, however, this basic principle `of 'a centrally positionedmembrane acting as an exterior lenvelope or outer lining for theagitating means.

The axially positioned agitating means is lined with or enveloped by aflexible membrane; the anvil vagainst which the membrane squeezes thelaundry when Adilated or expanded is located about the periphery of thewashing receptacle. The anvil portion of the periphery of the receptaclebeing lperforate presents a large areafrom the approximate top to thebottom of the receptacle. An opening to the atmosphere communiicateswith the interior of the agitating element which fortnsa rigidsupporting chassis for the flexible membrane thereon and by suitableorifices through the chassis permits the? atmospheric pressure to act onthe interior `of vthe co1 lapsed flexible membrane to inflate and expandthe mem brane when the washing chamber is exhausted. The membrane isfabricated to normally lit snugly on the agitator chassis.

The water agitating chassis and membrane thereon are formed of ageometry which contains convolutions or the like which may be in aspiral shape thereon or symmetrically formed therein in order to givenormal arnplitude whereby the membrane or envelope may expand todisplace the volume of the washing receptacle to that extent whereby thelaundry is squeezed thereby against the receptacles perforated peripheryas well as to form by its geometry areas and surfaces thereon which willdisplace and agitate the wash or rinse water when the agitator chassisand membrane are oscillated.

it is also seen that by utilizing the axis of the 'washing chamber as acoincident axis about which is positioned an extensible membrane whichby its dilation is forced against the periphery of the washing chamberwhich forms the perforate water extraction anvil that the Water and airvolume normally in the washing receptacle when washing and rinsing isgreater than the interior volume of the membrane when it is fullydilated within the confines limited by the perforated anvil surface andthe cover of the receptacle because the washing receptacle extendsperipherally beyond the perforated anvil periphery so that when it isdesired to squeeze dry the laundry.

advantage may be taken of the above geometry to ex- ICC ceed .thesqueezing pressure on the laundry as would be leffected -'by `vacuumdifferential above in the following manner. Directly. after the lastrinsing period when the fagitating element and its envelope isstationary, auto fmatically or manually as the invention may be incorpo--rated in :an automatic or non-automatic washer, the exhausting pump isplaced in operative connection between the Washing vreceptacle and theinterior of the membrane to :evacuate .the `washing receptacle and tillthe normally ycollapsed membrane 'with the rinse water and air containedin the y-washin'g receptacle whereby the envelope is `dilated by suchV'transfer and its squeezing pressure exceeds that which ycould possiblybe attained by the evacuation o'f theW-ash'ing receptacle of its air andliquid :content depending on an atmospheric pressure differential alone.

An object of this invention is to enlarge the perforated anvil surfaceagainst which a flexible membrane is rforced -by iluid pressure bypositioning 'the membrane in a normally 4collapsed state as an envelopecompletely enveloping the `centrallydocated agitating element and by theAmem'branes dilation under pressure differential, 'the greater pressurebeing exerted within the membrane as ycompared to the lexterior pressurethereon to force vthe membrane by its vinllation against the peripheryof the washing receptacle which is formed as a perforated anvil toextract water vthereby from the wet laundry -in lthe washing receptacle.

A v'further -o'bjec-t is to form the agitating elements `surface in aplurality 4of -convolutions .or folds either -spirally Yor symmetricallygenerated thereon not only :to permit the `flexible 'membrane whichenvelopes said element to have lamplitude to expand radially therefromlike an accordions membrane and displace the volume of the `washingchamber, "but also to obtain thereby surfaces on 'the vagitating elementwhich have a uid-displacing geometry when the element is oscillated.

A `further object is -to provide means for exhausting vthe -washingreceptacle and forcing the .iluid so exhausted yinto the membraneenveloping the agitating element Y certain minor modications as well asto yillustratemeans to enhance the rpressure differential available toextract water from the laundry.

Figure 3 ,shows vthe invention in a modified form in respect to FigureVl only as yconcerns the type of agitator which .is shown withvertically-disposed blades of conventional form about which ispositioned the enveloping membrane.

'In .Figure .l, numeral .1 is the casing or tub wherein the laundry is'inserted through a .closure 2 which is provided with a rubber orair-tight gasket 3 which forms a seal therebetween. A perforated annularsurface v4 spaced within tub 1 .forms the squeezing anvil which .anvilsurface may 'be .integral with or formed as a separate entity within thetub-to extract vWater from thelaundry by a membrane yor flexible.envelope .'11 which `normally ts .snugly over .and 'envelopes .a,supporting chassis `9. Elements 9 and -11 `form .the wash-tag'itatingelement. Chassis 19 and membrane .11 are oscillated bymeansof tube'6secured to chassis 9 4by support member 7 and which is journaled in thetub support member and tube 6 passes through a conventional sealinggland 16 to seal its circumference. Motor-driven oscillating means tooscillate tube 6 and thereby oscillate elements 9 and 11 are not shown.The chassis 9 and membrane 11 are formed to present a series ofconvolutions on their surfaces not only to afford iriiiation amplitudefor the expansion of membrane 11 which is normally in a compactedposition on chassis 9 but also to form surfaces on membrane 11 whichwhen oscillated in the fluid in tub 1 will agitate and periodicallydisplace the same. Suitable orifices 9a are formed in the wall of thechassis 9 to permit air at atmospheric pressure to enter through orice 8in tubular shaft 6, thereby maintaining atmospheric pressure on theinterior surface of membrane 11. The washing chamber 1a is evacuatedthrough tub outlet 14 in the bottom thereof and through pipe 29connected thereto and thence to pipe 28 leading through valve 21, whichvalve is then open to permit the suction of exhaust pump 23 to evacuatethe water and air content from chamber 1a and discharge it through valve19 to the drain, the other valves and 22 being closed. The membrane 11is radially displaced from chassis 9, there being atmospheric pressureon its interior surface available through orifice 8 and orifices 9a; themembrane 11 thus forces the laundry, indicated by numeral 13, againstthe perforated anvil 4, by its inflation, the membranes inflatedposition being shown by broken lines 12. An electric timer ofconventional design in the automatic washer art is indicated by numeral46 having lead wires 48 and manual adjusting knob 47. The washing watertemperature-control mixer 24 connected to sources of hot and cold water25 and 26 respectively and the exhausting pump 23 and the washing tub 1are connected through a series of conventional magnetic valves 19, 20and 22. The timer and contact switching unit 46 is properly wired toenergize valves 19, 20 21 and 22 to perform in sequence the followingautomatic cycle. Provision is conventionally made whereby the pump 23can be operated independently of the operation of the agitation element9-11 or vice versa by suitable clutches interposed therebetween whichare not shown.

In operation the cover 2 is removed and laundry inserted in washingchamber 1a. The mixer 24 may be set for the desired washing watertemperature and soap may be inserted in chamber 1a in any well-knownmanner. pump water into chamber 1a, the valves 20 and 22 are opened andthe valves 19 and 21 are closed. Water will then flow from the mixer 24through pump 23, which is now in operation, through valve 20 into pipe29 and into washing chamber 1a until Valve 22 is closed by timer 46 andfor a period of time the agitating element 9 and 11 oscillates toagitate the laundry and wash Water to wash the laundry. After asufficient interval the agitating elements 9 and 11 are stopped and thevalves 19 and 21 are opened and the wash water is emptied from thewashing chamber 1a through pump 23 now in operation and dischargedthrough valve 19 to the drain. The membrane 11 may -squeeze out theresidue of the wash water from the laundry against the annular anvilsurface 4 by continuing the evacuation of washing chamber 1a or the pumpmay be stopped prior to the attaining of an adequate vacuum in chamber1a sufficient to obtain the normal inflation of membrane 11 to performits water-extraction function. Rinsing Water may then be pumped intowashing chamber 1a by again opening valves 20 and 22, the pump 23 beingin operation, and the agitator 9-11 again being in a state ofoscillation. One or more rinsing operations may be provided for in theautomatic sequence of electric-enen v gizing contacts conventionallymade by cycle timer 46.

Following the last rinsing operation and after the water is pumped outby the opening of valves 19 and 21, valves 20 and 22 being closed, theoperation of pump 23 is continued to evacuate washing chamber V1a duringwhich time the difference of pressure between the normal atmosphericpressure within the membrane 11 supplied through duct 8 and orifices 9aas compared to the subatmospheric pressure existing on the exterior ofmembrane 11 and existing in chamber 1a cause the normally collapsedmembrane or envelope 11 to be inflated due to its convoluted geometryunder the existing pressure differential and the membrane 11approximately assumes a position indicated by broken lines 12, squeezingthe laundry 13 against the perforated anvil surface 4 to extract thewater content from laundry 13` After a suii'icient interval has elapsed,valves 19 and 20 open and permit air to enter chamber 1a and the dilatedmembrane 11 now having equal pressure on both its interior and exterior,restores itself by its molded form to its normal collapsed positionindicated by numeral 11 and cover 2 can be readily opened, the pressuredifferential thereon having been relieved.

lt is to be noted that due to the rigid closure 10 in the top of chassis9 being spaced from and not contacting cover 2, the area A thereof isself-supporting and does not press on cover 2 as does the membrane 11when in its distended position 12. Area A as projected on to the bottomof cover 2 represents an area under lower pressure than atmosphericpressure which pressure bears down on the equivalent top arearepresented by area A and this pressure differential tends to effect adownward force to maintain an air-tight seal on gasket 3 during theevacuation of chamber 1a.

The precise automatic washing cycle as has been outlined may be variedaccording to the inherent timing provisions incorporated in timer 46 toopen or close valves 19, 20, 21 and 22 at different intervals during thecyclic operation.

It is to be noted that the convolutions in membrane 11 are showngenerated to form a spiral which shape on being reversed in rotationduring oscillation gives an upward and then a downward thrust ordisplacement to the wash and wash water.

Referring to Figure 2, means are provided in this modication of theinvention to attain a greater pressure differential on membrane 11 thancan be obtained by exhausting the pressure to a partial vacuum on oneside of membrane 11 as is seen in Figure l. This increased squeezingpressure is attained by a rearrangement of the piping and valves, othercomponents being the same except that the convoluted membrane 11 isshown formed with a series of symmetric convolutions instead of thespiraled convolutions as in Figure l. In Figure 2 vanes 11C are formedon the outer surface of the convolutions to enhance the lateral waterdisplacement factor.

The washing and rinsing action and operation of the machine in Figure 2is approximately the same as that performed in Figure l, therefore, theprecise operation of the water-extraction period will sutiice to showhow a greater pressure differential is effective on membrane 11.

Directional arrows on the several connecting pipes show the unidirectionor dual direction of flow therein. The opening 14 in the base of tub 1is connected to pipe 39 which branches at 39a, one side leading to valve32 controlling the tempered Water supply to the washing chamber la; theother branch pipe leads to valve 33 and by pipe 40 leads to the suctionside of the pump 23. Valve 34 controls the outlet of pump 23 and isconnected to pipe 41 in communication through duct 3 in hollow shaft 6with the interior of chassis 9 and through orifices 9a therein to theinterior surface of membrane 11. Therefore, after the last rinsingoperation in washing chamber la, while the rinsing Water is still inchamber 1a, the timer 46 controlling the cycle dictates the closing ofvalves 32, 35, 36 and 37 and the opening oi' valves 33 and 34 as well ascommanding the operation of pump 23. This procedure evacuates washingchamber 1a of air and water and transfers it under pressure into theinterior of agitator chassis 9 which is now stationary. This fluidpasses through orifices 9a and inates membrane 11 while washing chamber1a is at subatmospheric pressure. During a normal rinsing operationthere is now more uid in the washing .chamber 1a than the fullyY.distended volnme of membrane 11 can receive by reason of the positionof perforated anvil Y4 vwi'hin chamber 1a, the excess fluid ispermittedto pass through the spring biased vent valve 38 which is in open`:communication with pipe 41 through pipe 45 yand thereby enters drainpipe 44. In this manner a predetermined pressure by virtue of the degreeof the spring bias on vent valve 38 is available to express water fromthe laundry 13 greater than any possible pressure that can .be attainedby the vacuum .differential generated in Figure l. Also, by this procedure there is a saving of water as consumed in any one automatic cyclein View of the .dual use of the last rinse water. After the necessaryperiod of pressure water extraction from the laundry 13, .the timer 46closes valve 33 and 34 and opens valves 35 and 37, whereby pump23exhausts the .fluid now .dilating membrane 11 and after a furtherinterval timer y46 stops the pump 23 and opens valves v33 and 36 and.thus permits `atmospheric pressure to .enter chamber 1a thereby fullyrestoring .the inherent molded form factor in membrane 11 to permit itto snugly contact its chassis -9. Locking means 31 are shown to keepclosure 2 in Figure 2 in uid `tight relation during the above extractionoperation.

In Figure 3 the envelope or membrane 11 is shown formed abolita-moreconventional type of agitator chassis 9b which has substantiallyvertically-disposed blades 49. The chassis 9b is broken away to show thesection of blades 49 as well as their contour. The chassis 9b is closedat the top by plate 18, the diameter `of which defines area A, relievingthe cover 2 over the projected area A of the support of membrane 1lwherrit is in its inflated position as is Yshown by numeral 12. By theproper design of the blades 49 formed in chassis 9a sufiicient depth canbe formed in them so that the membrane 11 which envelopes them andnormally fits thereon is thereby permitted by the convolutions so formedin 'it .to `be unfolded by pressure inflation to assume a contactingposition with the anvil surface 4a -whereon the laundry is squeezed dry.

It is evident that this invention, which has 1been described ascomprising an envelope or membrane 11 enveloping the washing element 9which forms a supporting chassis therefor, might be given theterminology of a rubber bag enveloping the washing element and her-4metically secured to and supported thereby in a collapsed state yetreadily inilatable by the difference of pressure imposed on itsvinterior as compared to its exterior surfaces.

vWhat VI desire to protect by United States Letters 'Patent isencompassed in the following claims:

l. A laundry washing machine comprising a tub Vhaving a laundry entrythereto, a perforate washing element within said tub, an `imperforateflexible membrane attached at its edges to both the top and bottomportions of the washing element and enveloping the same, said membranewhen in its relaxed state adapted to conform to the contour o f saidwashing element and without impairing the washing action of saidelement, means for actuating the washing element for the washingoperation, a perforate squeezing anvil withinsaid tub in spaced relationto and surrounding the washing element and its attached membrane, meansfor equalizing the pressure upon the inner and outer surfaces of saidmembrane to maintain the same in conforming relation with the washing.element during the washing operation, and means for establishing adifferential pressure upon said vinner vand ,o uter surfaces of the.membrane after completion of .the .washing operation, whereby saidmembrane is in- 'ated to a position to squeeze-dry the laundry againstsaid anvil.

2. The subject-matter of claim l wherein the top portion of saidperforate washing element comprises a rigid plate-like member ofpredetermined extent positioned adjacent to but in spaced relation tothe closure for the laundry entry with the top edges of said membraneattached to the periphery of said rigid plate-like member.

v3. A laundry washing machine comprising a tub having a laundry entrythereto, a perforate Washing element within said tub, an imperforateflexible membrane attached at its edges to both the top and bottomportions of the Washing element and enveloping the same, said membranewhen in its relaxed state adapted to conform to the contour of saidwashing element and without irnpairing the washing action of saidelement, means for actuating the washing element for the washingoperation, a perforate squeezing anvil within said tub in spacedrelation to and surrounding the washing element and its attachedmembrane, a source of iluid pressure, and means to connect said fluidpressure with the interior of said perforate washing element after thewashing operation, whereby said membrane is inflated to squeeze-dry thelaundry against said anvil.

4. A laundry washing machine comprising a tub having a laundry entrythereto, a vertically mounted perforate washing element in the axis ofsaid tub and adapted to be oscillated upon said axis, said elementformed with washing impellers, an imperforate flexible membrane attachedat its edges to both the top and bottom portions of the washing elementand .enveloping the same, said membrane when in its relaxed stateadapted to conform to the contour of said washing element and itsimpellers, means for actuating .the washing element for the washingoperation, a perforate squeezing anvil positioned about the innercircumference of said tub, drain and water supply means inconnection'with said tub and anvil, a source of iluid pressure, andmeans to connect said fluid pressure with the interior of said perforatewashing element, whereby said membrane is inflated to squeeze-dry thelaundry against said anvil.

5. A laundry washing machine comprising a tub having a laundry entrythereto, a cover for the laundry entry, a perforate washing elementwithin said tub, an imperforate ilexible membrane attached at its edgesto both the top and bottom portions of the washing element andenveloping the same, said membrane when in its relaxed state adapted toconform to the contour of said Washing element and without impairing thewashing action of said element, means for actuating the washing element,a perforate squeezing anvil within said tub in spaced relation to andsurrounding the washing element and its attached membrane, water supplyand drain means for said tub, atmospheric pressure communication meansto the interior of said exible membrane, and means for withdrawing theliquid and air from said tub to create a subatmospheric pressure uponthe exterior surface of the membrane, whereby said membrane is intlatedby the atmospheric air pressure within said membrane to thereby causethe membrane to squeeze-dry the laundry in said tub against said anvil.

6. A laundry Washing machine comprising a tub, said tub having aclosable opening through which laundry may be inserted and removed, aperforate washing element within said tub, said washing element formedwith radially extending impellers, an imperforate exible membranesecured at its edges to both the top and bottom portions of said washingelement, said membrane enveloping said washing element and adapted whenin its relaxed state to conform to the contour of the washing elementand its radially extended impellers without vimpairing eiective washingaction of said impellers, means for actuating the washing element forthe washing operation, a perforate squeeze anvil within the .tub andsurrounding the washing element and its attached membrane, a source offluid pressure, and means to connect said fluid pressure withr theinterior of said perforate washing element after `the washing operation,whereby said membrane is inflated to squeeze-dry the laundry againstsaid anvil.

7. A laundry washing machine comprising a tub having a laundry entrythereto, a perforate washing element 7 within said tub, an imperforateexible membrane attached at its edges to both the top and bottomportions of the washing element and enveloping the same, said membranewhen in its relaxed state adapted to conform to the contour of saidwashing element and without impairing the washing action of saidelement, outwardly extending vanes on the exterior surface of saidmembrane for enhancing the washing operation, means for actuating thewashing element for the washing operation, a perforate squeezing anvilwithin said tub in spaced relation to and surrounding the washingelement and its attached membrane, a source of fluid pressure, and meansto connect said fluid pressure with the interior of said perforatewashing element after the washing operation, whereby said membrane isinflated to squeeze-dry the laundry against said anvil.

8. A laundry washing machine comprising a tub having a laundry entrythereto, a perforate washing element within said tub, an imperforateflexible membrane attached at its edges to both the top and bottomportions of the washing element and enveloping the same, said membraneso formed as to assume when in its relaxed state a position snuglycontacting and conforming to the contour of said washing element, meansfor actuating the washing element for the washing operation, a perforatesqueezing anvil Within said tub in spaced relation to and surroundingthe washing element and its attached membrane, a source of iiuidpressure, and means to connect said uid pressure with the interior ofsaid perforate washing element after the washing operation, whereby saidmembrane is inflated to squeeze-dry the laundry against said anvil.

9. A laundry washing machine comprising a tub having a laundry entrythereto, a perforated washing element of convoluted form within saidtub, an imperforate ilexible membrane attached at its edges to both thetop and bottom portions of the washing element and enveloping the same,said membrane being in convoluted form and adapted when in its relaxedstate to assume a position snugly contacting and conforming to theconvoluted contour of said Washing element and without pulsation withrespect to said element during the washing operation, means foractuating the washing element and its attached snugly fitting membranefor the washing operation, a perforate squeezing anvil within said tubin spaced relation to and surrounding the washing element and itsattached membrane, a source of fluid pressure, and means to connect saiduid pressure with the interior of said perforate washing element,whereby said convoluted membrane is inflated to squeeze-dry the laundryagainst said anvil.

l0. A laundry washing machine comprising a tub having a laundry entrythereto, a perforate washing element within said tub, an imperforateflexible membrane attached at its edges to both the top and bottomportions of the washing element and enveloping the same, said membranebeing in molded form and adapted when in its relaxed state and duringthe washing operation to assume a position snugly contacting andconforming to the contour of said washing element without impairingeffective washing action of said element, outwardly extending vanesformed on the exterior surface of said molded membrane for enhancing thewashing operation, means for actuating the washing element for thewashing operation, a perforate squeezing anvil within said tub in spacedrelation to and surrounding the washing element and its attachedmembrane, a source of fluid pressure, and means to connect said iiuidpressure with the interior of said perforate washing element after thewashing operation, whereby said membrane is inflated to squeeze-dry thelaundry against said anvii.

11. A laundry washing machine comprising a tub having a laundry entrythereto, a perforate washing element within said tub, an imperforateexible membrane attached at its edges to both the top and bottomportions of the washing element and enveloping the same, said membranewhen in its relaxed state adapted to conform to the contour of saidwashing element and without impairing the washing action of saidelement, means for actuating the washing element for the washingoperation, a. perforate squeezing anvil within said tub and in spacedrelation to and surrounding the washing element and its attachedmembrane, drain and water supply means in connection with said tub, andmeans for exhausting water and air from the tub and transferring thesame into the interior of said membrane to thereby inflate saidmembrane, whereby the iniiated membrane serves to displace andsqueeze-dry the laundry in said tub against said anvil.

12. A laundry washing machine comprising a tub having a laundry entrythereto, a perforate washing element within said tub, an imperforateexible membrane attached at its edges to both the top and bottomportions of the washing element and enveloping the same, said membranewhen in its relaxed state adapted to conform to the contour of saidwashing element and without impairing the washing action of saidelement, means for actuating the washing element for the washingoperation, a perforate squeezing anvil within said tub and in spacedrelation to and surrounding the washing element and its attachedmembrane, drain and water supply means in connection with said tub,motor actuated pumping means to exhaust water and air from said tub andtransfer the same to the interior of said membrane to thereby inflatethe membrane for causing the same to squeeze-dry the laundry againstsaid anvil, and automatic venting means operative during such transferof water and air into the interior of said membrane to limit thepressure generated in said membrane and for the purposes intended.

13. A laundry Washing machine comprising a tub having a laundry entrythereto, a Huid-tight closure therefor, a perforate washing elementvertically positioned within said tub directly under said closure andhaving a rigid top portion of predetermined extent in spaced relation tosaid closure, an imperforate exible membrane secured at its edges toboth the top and bottom portions of said washing element and with thetop edges of said membrane attached to the periphery of said rigid topportion, said membrane enveloping the Washing element and when in itsrelaxed state adapted to conform to the contour thereof, means foractuating the washing element and its attached membrane for the Washingoperation, a perforate squeezing anvil within said tub in spacedrelation to and surrounding the washing element yand its attachedmembrane, a source of fluid pressure,

and means to connect said fluid pressure with the interior of saidperforate Washing element after the washing operation, whereby saidmembrane is inlated to squeezedry the laundry against said anvil andwhereby the rigid top portion of the washing element serves to restrictcontact of the inflated membrane to only a portion of the inner surfaceof said closure to thereby reduce the displacing pressure thereon.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,187,770 Chamberlin et al. Ian. 23, 1940 2,407,660 Graham Sept. 17,1946 2,417,998 Wales Mar. 25, 1947 2,428,710 .lorgenson et al. Oct. 7,1947 2,472,682 Rand June 7, 1949 2,499,025 Horvath Feb. 28, 1950

